The City of Gloversville, New York recently approved the installation of an energy systems optimization project that includes energy efficiency upgrades and improvements to infrastructure systems that deliver better comfort, fresh air, safety, and quality of life. The project is utilizing New York Article 9, also known as energy performance contract, that allows the energy savings to pay for the improvements.

The upgrades range from weatherizing around doors and windows to installing LED street lights. Controls will also be added to HVAC equipment and interior lights will be changed to LED as well.

The New York Article 9 project will be completed using an energy performance contract. Through this New York Article 9 legislation, the guaranteed energy savings that result from the upgrades are used to fund the project costs over a set term.

“The fact that there would be a guaranteed savings and someone would back that up sounded like exactly what we needed,” Dale Trumbull, the Director of the Department of Public Works. “It was a win-win situation and we needed a win, especially with our deteriorating buildings built in the 70s.”

The improvements helped the city of 16,000 residents earn a Clean Energy Community distinction by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the first city in its region to win such an honor. Gloversville qualified by meeting four of the 10 measures NYSERDA requires to be given the honor. The City will get a $2,700 incentive bonus, along with being eligible for up to $100,000 for any energy saving measure.